Ethnic Identity and Generational Status in South Phoenix, Arizona

Ben VanderMeer, Arizona State UniversityNicole Weller, Arizona State UniversitySeline Szkupinski-Quiroga, Arizona State University

Disadvantaged immigrant communities in the United States lack economic and, in many cases, legal resources. Contemporary discourse surrounding immigration may further exacerbate fear and uncertainty in these communities as well. Using data collected in one such community in the Phoenix metropolitan area, we will investigate differences in racial and ethnic identity by immigrant generation. In addition, we examine the correlations between these self-identities and respondents’ reported perceptions of the rapidly changing economic and immigration environment in the community.